Interview with Q David Bowers about the Taraszka collection and sale
Gazes
Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
Interesting video about the upcoming sale of the taraszka early gold collection with Q David Bowers. https://coinweek.com/auction-news/q-david-bowers-discusses-the-taraszka-early-gold-collection-video/
4
Comments
Thanks for sharing the video. I was lucky enough to view these coins in person.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
What was your impression of the collection?
It was gorgeous. All the varieties were there, so it was very complete. The AU pieces were of the highest quality and they blended well with the Mint state pieces, so the set looked very well-matched, in my opinion.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Does anyone know why this variety set is not in the registry? There are thousands of misc world sets. A few days ago, I saw a new Marvel Avengers set just added. I am not knocking the modern and world sets, but just don't have the understanding how a set as significant as Taraszka Eagle variety set is overlooked. Also, if QDB is correct in video, there are already two 100% completed sets that can be included from the start.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Possibly the owner does not want to fool with register sets and other silliness. There are several magnificent collections and sets whose owners have no use for such time-wasters.
RB..
Please read posting carefully. The posting is in reference why there is not an Early Eagle variety PCGS set. Could be Tarz or BD varieties.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I did. The response is what I got from it.
I have to agree with Roger B.
Personally the registry sets are nothing better than a schoolyard spitting contest.
Perhaps the administrators of the registry have concluded that the numismatists
who could compile an attractive set of early gold would not feel the compulsion
to show the world they spit farthest.
Not silly and not a timewaster.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
In addition to his groundbreaking book on early $10 Eagles, Taraszka wrote many research articles from 1995 to 1999. His Eagles were raw at the time which allowed research on dentil and reed counts, and emission order. I referenced some of Taraszka's publications on my articles on early half dollar and $10 Eagle master die and hubs. Taraszka had more interest in numismatic research than the registry.
Taraszka'a numismatic research on early $10 Eagles was incorporated into the Dannreuther/Bass book Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties.
The "third side" analysis of early Eagles by Taraszka, with help from Russ Logan, identified four groups of consistent edge reeds and corresponding diameters. While this may seem insignificant, it proved that early eagle planchet blanks were not run through the Castiang rimming machine as previously thought, instead the edge reeds were formed during the strike by four different sets of edge collars. Without Taraszka's research, this could not have been proven.
Taraszka also accomplished significant research while affiliated with Rutgers https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/33324221_Anthony_J_Taraszka
I wonder if there is a better way to organize high quality research than presently used?
I'm not a fan of the registry but I don't see this explanation as the only reason in this instance.
The number of possible participants would be very low. I have seen die variety references included in descriptions of 1813-1834 half eagles (my favorite US gold). Most of these dates are already rare, even without considering the variety. A complete set of varieties for this type (even excluding the 1822) would apply to at most a handful. I doubt it's worth the trouble for PCGS to create it.
Registry sets can be used as a public record of scarce varieties especially when the registry owner includes useful information such as quality photographs, accurate measurements and provenance. Otherwise, these may remain invisible to the collecting community until they come to auction.
Thanks for the video link... quite interesting. I enjoy gold coins and find the research informative. Cheers, RickO